Saturday 18th June – Friday 24th June 2022.

Intro:

… tell the waders that astronomical summer has just started …

Waders:

An early smattering of waders on various estuarine habitats suggests some early returning birds.  2 Redshank on the Alaw estuary (24^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (24^th) were the first for some time.  There were up to 4 Greenshank at the Alaw estuary (4 on 20^th, 1 on 24^th), 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Malltraeth cob pool (23^rd-24^th) and 3 Bar-tailed Godwits on the Alaw estuary (23^rd&24^th).  The number of Curlew and Oystercatchers appears to be increasing.  Up to 27 Curlew were on the Alaw estuary (27 on 23^rd, 9 on the 20^th), with 18 at Traeth Dulas (23^rd).  Up to 213 Oystercatchers were at the Alaw estuary (213 on 23^rd, 163 on 20^th), with 31 at Traeth Dulas (23^rd).

A Grey Plover was at Traeth Dulas (23^rd), 4 Ringed Plovers were at Porth-y-Mor (19^th) and a Little Ringed Plover was seen again at RSPB Cors Ddyga (19^th).  A Turnstone was at Porth-y-Mor (19^th), up to 4 Dunlin were at the Alaw estuary (4 on 23^rd, 3 on 24^th) and a Common Sandpiper was at Cemlyn (24^th).

Seabirds & gulls:

2 Roseate Terns were at Cemlyn (22^nd), while 121 Sandwich Tern chicks were ringed with BTO rings and Orange flags (20^th).  The 2022 flags have 3 letters in black starting with the letter C - previous ringing efforts during 2019 started with the letter A.  News emerged during the week that the BBRC have accepted the records of Sooty Tern at Cemlyn in 2020 and Elegant Tern at Cemlyn in 2021.

Gulls appear to be on the move.  Traeth Dulas had an adult Mediterranean Gull (23^rd) and a 1^st summer (24^th).  Juvenile Black-headed Gulls are appearing at various estuaries – perhaps from the Cemlyn colony – with 2 on the Alaw estuary (20^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (23^rd&24^th).

5 Puffins were on the sea at South Stack (22^nd), with other sightings from boat trips around Puffin Island (20^th).  Sightings of Black Guillemot included 1 at Porth Eilian (19^th) and 1 at Porth-y-Mor (19^th).  20 Gannets were seen between Wylfa Head and Middle Mouse (18^th), with 10 off Porth-Y-Mor (19^th).

Passerines and others:

A Lesser Whitethroat was at Amlwch Port (19^th).  Sightings of Hooded Crows included 1 at Cors Bodeilio (19^th) and 1 at Traeth Dulas (23^rd).  There was a belated report of 2 Kingfishers seen along the Afon Cefni between the Pet Place store at Llangefni and the A5 (17^th).

Raptors:

An Osprey was at the Cefni estuary (21^st&23^rd), as was a male Marsh Harrier (21^st).  In what was a quiet week for sightings of Red Kites, 1 was seen over fields near Traeth Lligwy (19^th) and another over Gadfa (22^nd).

Swans, Geese & Ducks:

The annual pre-moult gathering of Geese at RSPB Valley Wetlands has begun with 814 Greylag Geese, 123 Canada Geese and 5 Barnacle Geese (19^th).  It is always worth checking any Barnacle Geese for coloured darvic rings as last summer saw a number of birds from the feral breeding populations in the Lake District.  Three broods of Shelduck – totalling 19 young – were at the Alaw estuary (20^th), whilst a 14 strong creche of young Shelducks were at the Cefni estuary (22^nd).  A female Red-breasted Merganser with a brood of 7 young was at Traeth Dulas (24^th).

Divers & Grebes:

No sightings of note.

Herons, Egrets and allies:

2 Bitterns were seen in flight at RSPB Valley wetlands (19^th) and a juvenile Great Egret was at Garreg Lwyd, Rhoscolyn (21^st).  9 Little Egrets were at Traeth Dulas (24^th) with up to 6 on the Alaw estuary (6 on 23^rd, 5 on 20^th).

2022 Year List:

There were no new additions to the year list which remains at 198.